Starting on Aug. 1, the Agriculture Department will change how it releases crop and livestock reports

The U.S. government is taking steps to protect agricultural markets from high-frequency traders—a move some say will make little difference down on the farm.

Starting on Aug. 1, the Agriculture Department will change how it releases crop and livestock reports. It is an attempt to placate critics who say fast traders are reaping profits in wheat, corn and soybean futures at the expense of slower investors.